Main information:

Castle courtyards

Fifth courtyard

The fifth courtyard is the outermost and also the largest courtyard in the castle. Its appearance has changed much in the
course of the centuries. Up until around 1800 the "Schütt"
stood here, a mighty fortified building and storehouse built in
the 15th century. This closed off the castle complex to the
north.

Access to the castle from the north was originally via the
Öttinger Gate, of which a single gate tower is all that remains. From here one progressed further into the castle complex
via the "Grosse Bastei" and through Christoph’s Gate.

Administration offices and workplaces used to be located in
this fifth courtyard, as well as apartments for officials and castle
servants. These original functions are indicated today in the
names of the buildings, e.g. "Rentmeisterei" (former tax office
building) and the "Röhrenkehrerturm" (Chimney Sweep’s
Tower). The most distinctive building in the courtyard is the
clock tower and adjacent well house. Close by, the traces
of a horse pond can still be seen.